An alleged Iranian spy operating within the UK reportedly demanded £150,000 to carry out a violent attack on a London-based journalist, a chilling revelation disclosed during a high-profile court case. The Woolwich Crown Court is currently hearing evidence against three men accused of conducting espionage activities targeting critics of the Iranian regime residing in the UK.
The Spy Ring and Its Targets
The defendants—Mostafa Sepahvand, 41; Farhad Javadi Manesh, 46; and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 57—stand accused of orchestrating surveillance and reconnaissance missions against individuals openly critical of Iran’s government. Over an eight-month period spanning August 2024 to March 2025, the trio allegedly visited multiple London addresses, capturing photos and videos while conducting extensive online research. Prosecutors described these actions as “very obviously a form of spying” aimed at gathering intelligence for Iranian intelligence services.
Among the prominent targets were two journalists affiliated with the London-based Persian language broadcaster Iran International: Mojtaba Pourmohsen and Kambiz Hosseini. Additionally, barrister Jonathan Turner, a founding member of UK Lawyers for Israel, was reportedly under surveillance. These individuals are known for their outspoken criticism of the Iranian regime, making them potential subjects for intimidation or worse.
Details of the Violent Plot
The most alarming aspect of the case centers on Sepahvand’s alleged plans to carry out a violent attack in exchange for a substantial sum. Evidence presented to the court includes a message instructing him: “You are expected to hit or kill the journalist.” In a voice note, Sepahvand expressed frustration over inadequate payment for his surveillance work but promised, “They pay the £150,000, and I’ll finish them off.”
Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones emphasized that the offered sum represented “a very powerful incentive to do as instructed—more than enough, it would seem, to get past any ideological reluctance.” While the surveillance methods lacked sophisticated technology, their intent was clear: to collect sufficient information to enable harm against those who dared to criticize Iran’s leadership.
Context: Iran’s History of Targeting Dissidents
The court underscored Iran’s longstanding policy of targeting dissidents abroad, citing the infamous 1989 fatwa against author Salman Rushdie over his novel The Satanic Verses. Rushdie was violently attacked in New York in 2022, suffering severe injuries including the loss of sight in one eye—more than three decades after Iran’s Supreme Leader called for his death. This case highlights a continued pattern of Iranian efforts to silence opposition beyond its borders.
Legal Charges and Defenses
All three defendants face charges under the UK’s National Security Act for engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service. Sepahvand, who resides in St John’s Wood, north London, additionally denies charges related to surveillance, reconnaissance, and open-source research conducted with the intention to commit serious violence within the UK.
Manesh, from Brent, and Noori, from Ealing, both west London, deny charges alleging they intended for serious violence to be inflicted on others based on their surveillance activities. While the court accepts that the surveillance and reconnaissance took place, Manesh and Noori argue they were unaware their actions aided Iranian intelligence.
Sepahvand is expected to claim he was pressured into participation through bullying or threats and that he deliberately sabotaged the operation by performing poorly to prevent successful outcomes. The jury has been informed that the trial could extend for up to six weeks as the evidence unfolds.
Why This Case Matters
This trial exposes a stark reality: foreign governments may actively attempt to suppress dissenters living safely abroad through intimidation, surveillance, and even potential violence. The alleged Iranian spy ring’s activities in London underscore the risks faced by journalists, lawyers, and activists who challenge authoritarian regimes.
Moreover, the case highlights the ongoing challenge for UK authorities in identifying and countering covert foreign intelligence operations on British soil. The use of relatively low-tech methods to gather sensitive information reveals how espionage can blend into everyday urban environments, making vigilance essential.
For the public and policymakers alike, this trial serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression and ensuring that foreign interference does not undermine democratic values within the UK.
Looking Ahead
As the trial progresses, the court’s findings will have significant implications for national security and the protection of journalists and dissidents worldwide. The outcome may also influence future legislation or security measures aimed at countering foreign espionage and protecting the rights of those who speak out against oppressive regimes.
Full details of the ongoing trial have not yet been released, but the case has already shed light on the dangerous lengths some foreign actors will go to silence critics—even thousands of miles from their home countries.